The last two letters (Hatfield House CP 133/188 and 2/18), constitute the only surviving holograph letters that Philip wrote to Elizabeth: the first congratulated her on her accession and paved the way for a reluctant proposal of marriage the second offered thinly veiled threats on the direction of Elizabeth’s religious settlement. The former, a holograph copy, reveals the care and caution with which Mary initiated direct contact with her husband the latter, a heavily edited holograph draft, is crucial to our understanding of Mary’s intransigence towards – and ultimate defiance of – her husband’s express wish that Princess Elizabeth should marry the Duke of Savoy. 109–10) represent the only known holographs (hand-written letters) exchanged between Philip and Mary (and, indeed, the only surviving letters written to Philip by any of his four queens). The first two letters (BL Cott MSS Vesp F iii, f. Although all three monarchs have received considerable individual attention in recent years, few studies have examined the complex relationship that evolved between them. This essay presents four remarkable but hitherto neglected or mis-identified holograph letters exchanged between Philip II and two of his English relatives, Mary and Elizabeth Tudor. The book examines Philip's long apprenticeship his three principal interests (work, play, and religion) and the major political, military, and personal challenges he faced during his long reign.Sixteenth-century rulers wrote more letters in their own hands than any of their medieval predecessors, providing valuable insight into the practice of ‘executive diplomacy’. Many of them change significantly what we know about the king. Philip II by Geoffrey Parker and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at .uk. Eminent historian Geoffrey Parker draws on four decades of research on Philip as well as a recent, extraordinary archival discovery-a trove of 3,000 documents in the vaults of the Hispanic Society of America in New York City, unread since crossing Philip's own desk more than four centuries ago. This compelling biography of the most powerful European monarch of his day begins with his conception (1526) and ends with his ascent to Paradise (1603), two occurrences surprisingly well documented by contemporaries. Geoffrey Parker investigates the strengths and weaknesses of Philip's strategic vision, the priorities that underlay his policies, the practices.

This fascinating book is the first to analyze how Philip II of Spain ruled the first global empire in history, from 1556 to his death in 1598. Philip II is not only the most famous king in Spanish history, but one of the most famous monarchs in English history: the man who married Mary Tudor and later launched the Spanish Armada against her sister Elizabeth I. by Geoffrey Parker ( 115 ) 17.99 Philip II is not only the most famous king in Spanish history, but one of the most famous monarchs in English history: the man who married Mary Tudor and later launched the Spanish Armada against her sister Elizabeth I. 45.00 11 Used from 6.66 10 New from 38.75.